[Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania press release] On Saturday, Jan. 12, at a special convention held at Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, the Rt. Rev. Clifton D. Daniel was elected bishop provisional of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania by unanimous consent.

Bishops provisional are elected for a specific period of time; in this instance for two years or until the election of a bishop diocesan.

Bishop Daniel was consecrated bishop coadjutor of the Diocese of East Carolina on September 21, 1996 and became the seventh Bishop of the Diocese of East Carolina in June, 1997. He earned his Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA in 1972 and was awarded Doctor of Divinity degrees from both Virginia Theological Seminary and the University of the South in 1997. He has also done further studies at the College of Preachers, Washington, DC; the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, Calif; St. George’s College, Jerusalem; St. Petersburg Theological Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia; and the Anglican Centre in Rome. He was called as rector of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Bristol, R.I.  Bishop Daniel served St. Michael’s for twelve years, until his election as bishop coadjutor for the Diocese of East Carolina.

While rector of St. Michael’s, Bristol he led in establishing an affordable day care center, a free meal program and an affordable housing foundation for residents of Bristol. He also served as chaplain to the Bristol Police Department; as a board member for St. Elizabeth Home, Providence and Metacom Manor, Bristol; as a deputy to General Convention and president of Episcopal Charities of the Diocese of Rhode Island.

Bishop Daniel is married to the former Anne Miller and they have three adult daughters, Margaret, Elizabeth and Charlotte, and one granddaughter, Claire.

The cathedral was filled to capacity for the special convention.  The clergy and laity gathered with a spirit of hopefulness and optimism. A standing ovation was given to the members of the Standing Committee when they were introduced as well as one for Bishop Daniel and his wife Anne.  It is with hope and prayers that the new bishop provisional of Pennsylvania has been received as the people of the diocese look toward the future with a renewed eagerness and sense of unity of purpose in our shared ministry in Christ.